Chevy Astro V8

Looking to purchase a 1995 or newer Chevy Astro for family transportation. I normally don’t leave well enough alone so I am looking into swapping in a Buick 350 V8 into this beast simply because others have swapped 305/350 chevy engines in them.

Does anyone have experience with V8 Astro vans? I would either use an adapter for a chevy bolt pattern 200r4 or just use a BOP 200r4 bolt pattern trans from a 307 Olds powered Cadillac.

I want the Buick engine because I already have it plus for its long stroke crank to pull this 4000lb beast around.  

I don't have any experience with the Astro van, but I believe it shares the same chassis as the S-10, so S-10 information should help.  As for the trans though, they should be the electronically controlled 4680LE or what ever number they are I don't know it by heart.  I'll add more later, I have to get back to work    
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The Silver Buick- '77 Skylark coupe w/ a Fuel Injected Buick 455&TKO-600, '72 Centurion Conv't - 455w/TH400, '67 T-bird 4Dr (suicide) w/428&C6. Needing to replace a '69 Firebird 400.

http://www.bangshift.com/forum/index.php?topic=6189.0

Is it true the 200r4 has a universal chevy BOP bolt pattern? I just read on a site that the 200r4 bell will bolt up to either engines.  

mopar452:
Is it true the 200r4 has a universal chevy BOP bolt pattern? I just read on a site that the 200r4 bell will bolt up to either engines.

yup  
68 Olds Cutlass ~ 350 Rocket
85 Delta 88 ~ 425 Rocket
02 Silverado 4X4 ~ 5.3L

Ok, I am home and have time  The automatic transmissions used in Astro Vans are the 4L60-E and are fully electronic.  They have a chevy bellhousing, which with an adapter plate can be easily bolted to a Buick engine.  Second problem you would run into with using a non-electronic trans is I am 90% sure that the speedo is controlled electronically (no speedo cable) where as the 200R4 (which is yes does have a universal bellhousing) has a mechanical speedo.  I put a link at the bottom of one place that has a mechanical-electrical speedo converter so it is still an option.  Similarly there are stand alone transmission controllers for the 4L60-E for non-computerized cars/engines.  So I would think these would be the two scenerio's you would be running into for this swap.  Out of the box the 4L60-E probably would support more power than a mid-80's 200-r4, but it does weigh more.  

My vote would be to stick with the 4L60e because:
A) You would already have it.
B) An adapter plate runs in the ballpark of $120.
C) Better suited to hold the Buick's torque in factory trim than the average (non-GN) 200r4.  
D) It is probably cheaper to buy the stand alone trans controller and adapter plate than a 200-r4, making sure it is up to snuff, the speedocable/electronic adapter, and to throw it in, finding the right adjustment for the 200-r4's TV cable. I am also not sure how the 4L60e's shifter is hooked up compared to the 200-r4, you know the factory shifter will work with the 4L60e.

Dimensionally I don't see why a Buick engine couldn't be shoe-horned in, it would be much easier doing a tune up because (again   )
A)The spark plugs sit above the exhaust manifolds.
B) Distributor's in the front of the engine.  
C) Easy oil filter access for filter changes, don't get any oil on the exhaust pipes, etc.

I'd like to know how it goes.  As I said the Astro should be built on the S-10 Chassis, so any S-10 info should be pertinate.

Let us know how it goes. Who knows if you do it, by the time you get tired of it and ready to sell I'll be ready to start a family and will want to buy it    
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The Silver Buick- '77 Skylark coupe w/ a Fuel Injected Buick 455&TKO-600, '72 Centurion Conv't - 455w/TH400, '67 T-bird 4Dr (suicide) w/428&C6. Needing to replace a '69 Firebird 400.

http://www.bangshift.com/forum/index.php?topic=6189.0